This Marine Corps Memorial Honors the Fallen from 9/11

Patriot Day is our national observance of the unforgettable day that brought down the Twin Towers, left a gaping whole in the Pentagon and took the lives of close to 3,000 people -- but it did not bend our nation's resolve. 

Despite our nation's pledge to "never forget," years have passed, leaving the memory of 9/11 faded for some and nonexistent for others. However, a generation of U.S. Marines has already earned its place in history. 

Marines were among the first responders who ran into those burning towers. They took to the skies above Washington, D.C., in the weeks after the attacks, helping restore peace of mind. And they have deployed by the thousands to fight an evolving enemy on uncertain battlefields.

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the National Museum of the Marine Corps value the sharing of this chapter of our nation's history through the eyes of Marines.

The mission of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is to preserve and promulgate the history, traditions and culture of the Marine Corps and to tell the history of America through the eyes of Marines, including those who responded to calls for help on 9/11, as well as those who felt called to serve in the follow-on wars.

The loss of fellow Americans and the heroism displayed on 9/11 brought our nation together. The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation remembers those heroes throughout the Marine Corps Heritage Center's National Museum of the Marine Corps and Semper Fidelis Memorial Park and Chapel.

 The park, which overlooks the museum and is dedicated to the service of all Marines, is a place of remembrance and reflection and is the home to more than 44 memorials and plaques and where you will find the New York Fire Department 9/11 Memorial.

The memorial pays homage to the 17 Marines who were among the fallen NYFD firefighters at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Two steel beams recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center were used in the monument. One of the beams displays the emblem of the New York City Fire Department, while the other features the eagle, globe and anchor of the Marine Corps. The name of each firefighter is inscribed on a black granite block adjacent to the beams.

The tribute on the Memorial reads:

"On Sept. 11, 2001, 343 brave NYC Firefighters lost their lives in the attack at the World Trade Center. Of them, 17 were United States Marines. This memorial serves to represent their sacrifices that fateful day.

MAY THEY NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

Marines have often served as the face of our nation to locals in combat zones. Many Americans vividly recount the events that occurred on 9/11 and the difficulty they had in comprehending what unfolded before their eyes -- but they also recount the stories of our nation's first responders running toward danger to help their fellow Americans. The museum holds compelling reminders of those who put their lives on the line that fateful day. On this anniversary of 9/11, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation joins the rest of America in remembering the fallen and honoring their sacrifice.

Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman Jr. USMC (Ret)

President and CEO

Marine Corps Heritage Foundation

Marineheritage.org

Want to Know More About the Military?

Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.